The application of memory and attention-based play therapy to improve numerical combination skills of students with dyscalculia learning disability

In this study, the effectiveness of memory and attention-based play therapy in improving Numerical Combination Skill of fourth and fifth grade students with Dyscalculia was examined. Research population was all fourth and fifth grade students with math learning disability who referred to Tehran’s Learning Disorder centers during the 2016-2017 academic year. In this study, thirty students from two centers were randomly chosen and divided into two groups. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fourth Edition- and researcher-made Number Combination Test were used for two groups in both pre-test and post-test. Independent variable “memory and attention-based play therapy” was presented for twelve 50-minute sessions to the experimental group. The same Number Combination test was used as the post-test for both groups. Data were analyzed using covariance analysis by SPSS 19 software. Findings showed memory and attention-based play therapy could improve Numerical Combination Skill in students who suffer from math learning disability. Therefore, it is suggested that the types of games, their application and their importance in learning, basic training should be presented to teachers of elementary level, so that students can progress not only in mathematics but also in courses like reading and writing.